A radio-frequency identification (“RFID”) system for tracking items stored in a safe. The RFID safe system may include at least a safe and an RFID system. An RFID antenna may be fixed inside the safe. For example, the RFID antenna may fixed on an inner surface of a door to the safe such that the RFID antenna sends and receives signals across multiple angles as the safe door opens and closes.

Computerized apparatus and methods useful for causing provision of location-based services to users via a user portable wireless computerized device or other device. In one embodiment, the user device establishes a secure communication session with a network server (e.g., proxy process for a service coordinator or provider) to provide user-specific location-based services such as a time-limited rental of a tangible object or space. In one variant, dynamic generation of a response to the user included providing image data relating to provision of the user-specific location-based service, the image data enabling the user to authenticate at least one aspect of the provision of the user-specific location-based service by the third party service provider.

A tracking system that tracks persons and/or objects of interest without the need for triangulation techniques is disclosed. The tracking system utilizes very low power active radio frequency tags with limited effective broadcast range that operate only in the transmit mode with no need to establish two-way communication with any part of the system. The person or object of interest is provided with a radio frequency tag incorporating a unique identifier. Gateways connected to a common network interface are positioned relative to specific areas within the facility to be monitored. A computer connected to the same network as the gateways analyzes data relating to the strength of the of the radio frequency signals received by the radio frequency receivers from the radio frequency tags to determine if, and when, persons and/or objects of interest are present within particular subareas within the facility.

The present invention provides a mobile wireless antenna system, including: a RFID reader module and a mobile vehicle. The RFID reader module is connected to a first antenna. The mobile vehicle includes a second antenna and a third antenna. The second antenna is connected to the third antenna via a coaxial cable, and the mobile vehicle carries multiple objects that are equipped with RFID tags. As the mobile vehicle moves pass the RFID reader module, a first radio frequency signal is transmitted to the mobile vehicle from the RFID reader module via the first antenna. The mobile vehicle then receives the first radio frequency signal with the second antenna and transmits the first radio frequency signal to the third antenna via the coaxial cable. The first radio frequency signal is transmitted to the RFID tags on the objects from the mobile vehicle via the third antenna.

A workstation has a metallic housing for supporting an electro-optical reader for reading bar code symbols. A radio frequency (RF) antenna of an RF identification (RFID) reader for reading RFID tags is mounted in a metallic container that is connected to the housing. The RF antenna radiates RF energy at a frequency greater than 900 MHz through RF excitation slots formed between the container and the housing.

A commodity sales data processing apparatus includes a registration unit a first antenna positioned to read information from a wireless tag in a first region in which an article is to be placed for registration in a sales transaction. A first tag reader sends article information read from the wireless tag in the first region to the registration unit. A second antenna is positioned to read information from the wireless tag a second region. A second tag reader is connected to second antenna and configured to send article information read from the wireless tag to the registration unit to register the article in the sale transaction, if not already registered, and transmit a sale finished command to the wireless tag when the article has already been registered in the transaction.

A shielding grounded enclosure receives containers holding articles with UHF RFID tags with codes to be read out in a multi-read operation. The container can be a cart or bag trolley carrying garments, linens, cleaning items, floor mats other RFID coded items. The enclosure forms a tunnel leading into a reading zone where antennas are mounted in the back of niches, such as the back of a transverse channel extending up the sidewalls and over the top of the tunnel. The antenna arrangement is such that illumination/polling signals are applied strongly in the reading zone. The depth of the niches and the length of hallways or foyers leading into the reading zone are dimensioned to minimize or eliminate lines of sight from the antenna to the area outside of the enclosure. Additionally or alternatively, shielding enclosure such as a conductive door is movable across an opening leading into the reading zone.

A self-service POS terminal device comprises a first antenna and a second antenna, and reads, via each of the first antenna and the second antenna, commodity-related information stored in IC tags of commodities. The first antenna is positioned at a position for reading the IC tags of the commodities loaded in a shopping basket at a prescribed position, and forms a first reading area. The second antenna is positioned at a position for reading the IC tags of the commodities taken out from the shopping basket at the prescribed position and put into a shopping bag, and forms a second reading area.

A system and method for performing a package status check are provided, including a scanner for use in a surgical field and having an antenna for emitting a radio frequency detection field, the scanner including control circuitry configured to determine a predetermined quantity of sponges corresponding to a complete pack of sponges; count a number of sponges associated with the pack with the scanner prior to use of the sponges in a surgical field; and issue an alert when a number of counted sponges does not match the predetermined quantity corresponding to the complete pack. The system and method may include the control circuitry configured to determine whether a sponge has been re-scanned or is unknown by comparing detected information with previously detected information prior.

A system comprises a plurality of RFID readers distributed throughout an aircraft cabin. The RFID readers are configured to read RFID tags attached to luggage items. The system also includes a controller operatively connected to the plurality of RFID readers. The controller includes machine readable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive RFID readings from the plurality of RFID readers and track locations of the luggage items within the aircraft cabin. A method comprises tracking RFID tags affixed to luggage items within an aircraft cabin to monitor distribution and/or movement of the luggage items within the aircraft cabin. Tracking RFID tags includes detecting the RFID tags using a plurality of RFID readers located in overhead bins of the aircraft cabin.